Last stand at Habituals Ridge (pt1)

 Right then, after far too long a break its time for (part one of) another battle in:

The situation as it stands:

         The action is still focused on the clash between the Fossestershire 3rd and Crivenshire 2nd. After a small victory at Phlemm Valley The commander of the Crivenshire 2nd, Sir Ralliegh of Choppa embarked on a cunning flanking move which came to a sticky end at st Ronays stump. Now Sir Ralliegh and the remainder of the Crivenshire 2nd are encamped on Habituals ridge, about 4 days march from st Ronays stump awaiting the attack of the Fossestershire 3rd. With no news from the flanking force he sent out its nervous times for his troops.

 The defense of Habituals ridge is one of the better known battles of the war of four kings thanks to a surviving transcript of an audio commentary made during the battle by the 'Fight o' the morrow' team of sir Johnathan of Motte-sonne and his Lamavacian raider co-commentator 'Big' Al o' Hanns' Sonne. This gives a true insight into the happenings during the engagement and therefore warfare of the age. I felt it would be silly of me to try to write my own version of events as it would be far more fitting to include the transcript as a whole in all its uncut glory, illustrated by pictures of the wronghammer plastic reenactment society recreating the events as described.

......Besides which me and (the amazing) Mrs Sprinks are off to see this giddy bunch of pensioners and i know what i'd rather be doing!:

So without further ado (or adont) i present from history itself (that never happened):

'THEE FIGHT O' THE MORROW: HABITUALS RIDGE, WITH SIR JOHNATHAN OF MOTTE-SONNE AND 'BIGGE' ALL O' HANNS' SONNE.'

 'Hello and welcome one and all to what promises to be a classic confrontation between two well matched forces. I'm your commentator for the next 2 hours, barring extra time or penalty thrusts, Sir Johnathan of Motte-sonne and sitting along side me is famed Lamavacian raider Big' Al o' Hanns' Sonne. What are your thoughts going into this Al?'.
'Well its anyones' battle Sir John it really is, both sides are up for it, well organized and have some experienced heads on display. Will the Fossestershire flankers make it to the field, who can tell?. Im looking forward to a fine technical blood bath, this could be a classic.'
'And what are your thoughts on the terrain Al?, how do you suppose the lay of the land will effect this clash today?.'
'Well as we see it from a dragons eye view sir John, like this:

 'You can clearly see the ridge on which the Crivenshire forces have arrayed. the area has some good defensive ground, particularly the watchtower and its outer defenses. It will be tough for the Fossestershire forces to trudge up the ridge to attack but thats the task ahead of them today.'
'And what about the line ups of the two forces Al?'.
'Well as you can see the Crivenshire forces to the ridge end are anchored by their usual signature pike block.'

 These are forming a front two with a group of Jarkin* from the kings own forces, should be tough for anyone to break down'.

'Just behind are Sir Ralliegh of Choppa himself with his dismounted knights ready to play on the counter should the need arise. To their left and also in the watchtower some royal ordence have deployed to give some hitting power, something for the Fossestershire attack to think about John'.

'Not just that sir John but to the base of the tower they have heavy foot and bows.'

 'And to the right back position are a group of bow armed serfs to protect the wing'.

'Its a wall of blue and white Al, and what do you think the commander is planning with this line up?'.
'It is indeed sir John. Judging by the aggressive front line and use of fortified areas i expect them to hold a high defensive line and hold the enemy with the big guns, looking to hit them on the counter with the attacking threat of the knights coming from deep'.
'And what about this Fossestershire force, how do they line up?'.
'The opposition have gone for an offensive line up sir John, The center of heavy spears and dismounted knights'.

'Dismounted knights Al, is that wise?'.
'Well in my experience sir John the knights want to attack with the spears not go in first and get stuck up the ridge with no support, isolated up front'.
'What else Al?'.
 'They have some serfs out wide to offer a threat from the flank'.

'And not just that Al, what about their long ranged threat?'.
'Quite right sir John, they have bought a cannon of their own to offer support to the attack as well as a mob of archers to the right flank to provide cover to the attacking troops '.

'And what can we expect from this northern army Al?'.
'As ever we can expect them to be determined and aggressive, whenever the White and grey of Fossestershire are on the field you know they will give their all for the cause. I think they will want to get on the front foot, get in the defenders half early, see if they can get any joy. Once they get one or two holes in the enemy line they should be able to rack up the kills. Its all about pressure for them, if they can keep it on the Crivenshire force they will do well'.
'And what about the last battle between these forces All?, will that have a bearing?'.
'Well its all down to time sir John. If the Fossestershire flanking force from st Ronays Stump can get into the field they should have an impact. However if the Crivenshire defense can deliver a knockout blow to the Fossestershire attack early it may be all over before they can have any kind of impact'.
'I will have to stop you there Al, it looks like, yes i can now tell you the Fossestershire command have ordered the advance, we are underway...'.

                                                    TO BE CONTINUED


(* Taken from 'the big, the small and the oddly knobbled- a study on the fauna of Olde albilande' by Greivington Greenish- Grey.

    'Concerning Jarkin; They are almost identical to humans in every way but size and brain power. Jarkin were observed by the early settlers to Albilande living within the existing tribes of the displaced. They still live this way today, a small population existing due to low birth rates within the species and a talent for invoking the powers of natural selection.
 The term Jarkin is a blend of Giant and Kin, a name given to them by the settlers. Over time as local dialects have evolved the two words became bastardised into the current form.
Jarkin are valued in trades that require little creative thought and greater physical strength such as mining, smithing and soldering. That being said a keen eyed individual is required to keep them from their own natural stupidity and ability to have an implausable accident in even the most harmless of situations.)

Part two to follow....till next time.....